1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO heater

2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START. If it doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal
all the way down for five more
seconds, or until it starts.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), wait
15 seconds and start over.
When the engine starts, let go
of the key and the
accelerator pedal.
I NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Fuel Regulator
You have a fuel regulator that shuts the fuel off when the
engine reaches
5,600 rpm.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather,
0°F (- 18°C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater
can help.
You’ll get easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be
plugged
in a minimum of four hours prior to starting
your vehicle.
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To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
I
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use
a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store
the cord
as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts.
If you don’t, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying
to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your
GM dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that
particular area.
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
E
G.
H.
I.
Lamp Switches
Instrument Panel Dimmer
Multifunction Lever
Hazard Lamp Switch
Transmission Shift Lever
Ignition Switch
Rear Hatch Release
Rear Defogger
Comfort Controls
J. Rear A/C Control
K. Rear Heater Control
L. Rear WasherNiper
M. Front Ashtray
N. Accessory Power Outlets
0. Cupholders/Storage Tray
P. Front Storage Compartment
Q. Audio System
R. Cigarette Lighter
S. Hood Release
T. Dome Lamps OFF Button
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Fan Knob
This control has four positions. To increase airflow,
turn the knob toward
HI. To decrease airflow, move it
toward
LO.
Temperature Knob
This knob is next to the fan knob. It selects the
temperature
of the air flowing into your vehicle. Move
the knob clockwise for warmer air. Move the knob
counterclockwise for cooler
air.
Function Knob
This knob is next to the temperature knob.
OFF: This setting turns the system off.
MAX A/C: This cools the air the fastest, by
recirculating the inside air. Move the temperature knob
all the way clockwise.
A/C: This setting brings in outside air and cools it.
I,.
+fl BI-LEVEL: This setting brings in outside air
through the heater floor vent and the instrument panel
vents.
If you move the temperature knob between hot
and cold, cooler air will come out
of the upper vents
while warmer air comes out of the floor vent. The air
conditioning compressor may operate in this setting to
cool the air.
+.
/J VENT The ax comes out at the vents on your
instrument panel. The air conditioning compressor will
not run in this position. Adjust the temperature knob for
warmer or cooler air.
+’ HEATER: Most of the air comes out near the
floor. The rest comes out from the defroster vents under
the windshield and at the front side windows.
+’ BLEND: With this setting, the heated outside air
comes
out both the heater vents and defroster vents.
Adjust the temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
Most
of the air comes out near the windshield, with
some going
to the floor vents and front side windows.
we
DEFROST This setting operates the defroster.
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Heating System Function Knob
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your
heater controls will look like this.
Fan Knob
This control has four positions, To increase airflow,
turn the knob toward
HI. To decrease airflow, move it
toward
LO.
Temperature Knob
This knob is next to the fan knob. It selects the
temperature
of the air flowing into your vehicle. Move
the knob clockwise for warmer air. Move
the knob
counterclockwise for cooler air. This
knob is next to the temperature knob. The function
knob allows
you to choose the direction of air delivery.
OFF: This setting turns the system off.
-a
# VENT The air comes out at the vents on y r
instrument panel.
+# BI-LEVEL: With this setting, the heated outside
air comes out both the instrument panel vents and
heater vents. Adjust the temperature knob for warmer
or cooler air.
+’, HEATER: Most of the air comes out near the
floor. The rest comes out from the defroster vents under
the windshield and at the front side windows.
+’, BLEND: With this setting, the heated outside
air comes
out both the heater vents and defroster vents.
Adjust
the temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
+.
%
DEFROST This setting operates the defroster.
Most
of the air comes out near the windshield, with
some going to the floor vents and front side windows.
3-3

Rear Heating System (Option) Rear Air Conditioning System (Option)
You may have the optional rear heater. The three-speed
fan switch is
to the right of the radio. Turn the switch
toward
HIGH for higher airflow in the rear area. Turn
the switch to the
OFF position to turn the system off.
You may have rear air conditioning. The rear air
conditioning switch is located to
the right of the heater
controls. Turn the switch toward
HIGH for higher
airflow
in the rear area. Turn the switch to the OFF
position to turn the system off.
3-4

Air Conditioning
Before using your vehicle’s air conditioning, open the
windows to clear the vehicle of hot air. This reduces the
time it takes for your vehicle to cool down. Then keep
your windows closed for the air conditioner to work at
its best.
You can use MAX A/C with the temperature knob in the
blue area, when it’s really hot outside and you need to
cool the inside air quickly. MAX A/C lets
in only a little
air from the outside.
If you first use MAX A/C, you can then use A/C
with
the temperature knob in the blue area, as soon as the
vehicle has cooled down,
so outside air will be going
through your vehicle.
If your vehicle has rear air conditioning, setting
it on LO
may enhance the front A/C performance by allowing
trapped refrigerant in the rear lines to circulate. The
rear air conditioning system will only send cooled
air if the front system is on. It can still be used to
circulate air, even if the front system is off.
When the air conditioning, DEFROST or BLEND is on,
you may notice a slight increase or decrease
in engine
speed, due to compressor operation. This is normal
because
the system is designed to cycle the compressor
on and off to keep the desired temperature.
Heating
On cold days, use HEATER with the temperature knob
in the red area. Outside air will be brought in through
the floor outlets. The heater works best
if you keep your
windows closed while using it.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See “Engine Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
3-5

Defrosting
Use DEFROST to remove fog or ice from the
windshield quickly in extremely cold conditions. The
temperature knob should be in the red area and the fan
control toward high. The air conditioning compressor
may operate in this setting to dehumidify the air.
The
BLEND setting is useful for cold weather with a
large number of passengers or very humid conditions to
help keep the windshield clear.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed,
use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Air will flow through the
instrument panel
vents.
Your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air
to the inside of your vehicle when it is
moving. With the side windows closed, air will flow into
the front air inlet grilles at the base
of the windshield,
through the vehicle and out the rear air exhaust valves.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning fan is running. Your
vehicle has air vents near the center and
on the
sides of the instrument panel that allow
you to adjust the
direction and the amount
of airflow inside the vehicle.
Push the vent up or down
to direct airflow to your
preference. Increase or reduce
the amount of airflow by
opening and closing the louvers. The vents rotate to
direct the airflow from side to side.
When
you close a vent, it will increase the flow of air
coming out
of any vents that are open.
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